Mines in Colombia still unsafe19 May, 2015On 13 May, 15 miners died after being trapped in a flooded gold mine in Riosucio, Colombia. After either an explosion inside the mine or cut-off the electricity supply, the pumps stopped working and the mine was flooded. Mine owner, Leonardo Mejía, said that 15 of the 80 miners working in the mine were killed.
Drummond acquitted despite accidents and threats7 May, 2015A six-year legal battle came to an end when the United States Court of Appeal ruled in favour of US-based coal company Drummond, accused of conspiring with paramilitary groups, involvement in a workplace accident and threatening to dismiss workers in Colombia.
The fight against outsourcing in Brazil intensifies16 April, 2015Brazilian workers held a one-day national strike on 15 April in many places across the country to protest at Bill 4330 on outsourcing, which they say threatens workers’ rights and freedom of association.
IndustriALL delegates agree actions and strategies for Latin America and the Caribbean14 April, 2015More than 80 delegates from 14 countries attended the second IndustriALL Global Union Latin America and Caribbean regional meeting on 9 April in Mexico. Participants agreed on a series of actions and strategies over the coming months to achieve their objectives.
IndustriALL calls on Ecopetrol to reinstate dismissed USO leader7 April, 2015Edwin Palma, USO vice president, was dismissed by the Colombian oil company Ecopetrol on 27 March after he used social networks to publicise the salaries of company managers. IndustriALL Global Union considers the dismissal to have been unfair and illegal and is calling for Palma’s immediate reinstatement.
Colombia - declaration of indefinite strike18 March, 2015Workers in Colombia’s mining and energy sectors face anti-trade union practices, persecution and unfair dismissal. The Coordinating Committee for Trade Union Unity in the Mining and Energy Sectors (CUSME), including the leaders of the three unions involved in the proposed merger, met on 12 and 13 March in Bogota to discuss the next steps in the creation of a national mining and energy union and declared an indefinite strike in the oil sector.
Jóvenes y gremios se manifiestan contra ley que reduce salarios25 February, 2015El miércoles 18 de febrero miles de trabajadores, estudiantes y miembros de distintos gremios sindicales de Perú se reunieron en la Confiep para expresar su rechazo al proyecto de ley Nº 4008, que reduce los salarios de los trabajadores.
IndustriALL calls for justice on the ninth anniversary of the industrial homicide at Pasta de Conchos 19 February, 2015Nine years have gone by since tragedy struck at Pasta de Conchos. Sixty-five miners lost their lives after being trapped by an explosion at this Grupo Mexico mine. Sixty-three bodies were never recovered and are still in the mine.
Union takes legal action against anti-union SQM3 February, 2015The National Confederation of Metalworkers (CONSTRAMET) / Industriall Chile, has taken further legal action against SQM Industrial S.A. and SQM Nitratos S.A. for violating workers’ basic rights. In response, the company has taken reprisals against its employees and continues to employ anti-trade union practices.
CTM intimidate Teksid, Gunderson and Pytco workers at court hearing29 January, 2015On 22 January, 350 thugs from the non-independent Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM) surrounded the Local Conciliation and Arbitration Board building in Monclova, Mexico. The board was dealing with a request by the National Miners’ Union (SNTMMSRM) to schedule a vote on which union should have collective bargaining rights at Gunderson, Teksid and Pytco.
